Family: Oleaceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Jasminum fluminense, commonly known as jasmine, star jasmine, or Brazilian jasmine, is a vigorous, twining vine native to South America, particularly Brazil. It is valued for its fast growth, glossy green foliage, and clusters of small, white, star-shaped flowers that are often fragrant. Because of its attractive appearance and ability to quickly cover fences, trellises, and walls, it has been widely planted as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical regions, including Hawaiʻi.
Risks & Threats:
Jasmine is naturalized on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, and exhibits aggressive growth that allows it to spread beyond cultivation. It can form dense mats that smother native vegetation, outcompete other plants for light and space, and alter habitat structure. Its ability to reproduce vegetatively and spread rapidly makes it difficult to control once established. This species possesses traits that are cause for concern and could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. If you are considering planting jasmine, it is recommended to choose a low-risk or native alternative to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique environments.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized across multiple tropical/subtropical regions (Hawaii, Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida)
- Weedy in cultivated landscapes
- Environmental weed: invades intact forests, climbs canopy, reduces native diversity
- Congeneric weeds exist (J. humile, J. polyanthum invasive elsewhere)
- Shade tolerant
- Tolerates wide range of soil types
- Climbing/smothering growth habit
- Forms dense thickets
- Produces viable seed (100% germination)
- Reproduces vegetatively (roots from stem contact)
- Propagules dispersed intentionally (ornamental planting)
- Bird-dispersed; survives gut passage (raccoons, birds)
Low Risk Traits:
- No spines, thorns, or burrs
- No allelopathy, parasitism, or toxicity
- No wind or water dispersal (fleshy berry)
- No prolific seed production (>1000/m²)
- Not likely dispersed as contaminant or unintentionally
